Elderly in Keta appeal for free bed nets

Keta, July 16, GNA - The elderly in the Keta municipal area have appealed for free treated mosquito bed nets to protect them against the large mosquito population following recent floods in the area.

The situation has led to a sharp increase in malaria cases in the area, Madam Success Sika Dovlo, Keta Municipal Director of Health, told the Ghana News Agency.

She said out of 68,157 out-patient attendance between January and May, 14,950 were malaria cases which claimed four lives including a child below five years.

Madam Dovlo said malaria cases had increased from 2,050 in January to 2,180 in February, 2,214 in March when the rains started, going up sharply to 3,332 in April and 3,942 in May with June to August figures expected to rise further.

She said those mostly affected were people above five years.

Madam Dovlo said the Keta Municipal Malaria Advocacy Team (KEMAT) currently on an anti-malaria education campaign has acquired and distributed 200 bed nets at subsidized cost.

She said the floods had also sparked increases in diarrhoea, chest infection and worm infestation due to poor sanitation, mainly toilet facilities in the some areas.

"Diarrhoea cases increased to 399 in May from 288 in April, worm infection from 217 in March, 234 in April, 249 in May while chest infections also increased from 72 in March to 91 in April and 125 in May," Madam Dovlo said.

Madam Dovlo appealed for mass spraying in the area.

She also appealed for tools such as boots and raincoats for KEMAT in its education campaign and for more treated bed nets for distribution.